TRENTON — Rob Segedin returned to the Thunder starting lineup Monday for the first time since coming down with a stomach virus last week and spending three hours in an Akron hospital.

“You can’t really do anything about it,” Segedin said. “It’s frustrating not to be out there with the guys. ... It happens, but hopefully that’s the end.”

In eight games this season, the 25-year-old is hitting .286 with a home run and seven RBI.

“He was swinging the bat very well,” Thunder manager Tony Franklin said. “Here’s a guy who had started off well last year, as well, and his season was derailed by injury.”

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The injury last year that Franklin referred to also occurred in Akron.

“Next time I may stay behind,” Segedin joked, “(and) just take those days off.”

After playing only 18 games in 2013, the Old Tappan native felt something in his right hip, which was a femoral acetabular impingement, while playing the Aeros (now called the RubberDucks) and underwent season-ending surgery. He was hitting .338 with three home runs and 17 RBI before the injury.

Segedin’s return, against Akron, will be an easier night than he’s used to. He’ll be the designated hitter rather than playing his normal position at third base.

“We’re going to start him off slowly, get him in the DH role,” Franklin said before Monday night’s game, “and probably get him at a position (Tuesday).”

Segedin was ready to go for the first time since last Monday’s 2-0 win against the RubberDucks. He showed no effects of the illness while swinging or moving around in the field.

Franklin compared how to manage a player returning from injury and a player returning from an illness. In both scenarios, it’s all about the player’s health.

“I think we’re cautious on both accounts,” he said. “Just try to make sure that they have enough strength to go out there and play the nine innings. And even then, when you put him in the ball game you give him the DH role and let him ... reacquire the feel for the game. Laying off for about four or five days, it takes a little getting used to to get back out there.”

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It was a happy Easter and 24th birthday this weekend for one player on the Thunder roster.

Bryan Mitchell, Tuesday’s starting pitcher, was called up to the Yankees for their series finale Sunday against the Rays.

Mitchell didn’t get to pitch in the game before returning to the Thunder, but Franklin said it’s special for a player to get called up to the majors.

“It’s always exciting to tell somebody he’s going to the big leagues,” Franklin said. “He was pretty excited about it. I was excited to be able to tell him.

“We were the guys who got the call, and Mitchell was the guy that (the Yankees) wanted. It was great to tell him.”